21 years old - 20k - what to do?

[Ryan Koehler]

A little background: I'm a 21-year-old rising senior at Clemson University with about 20k to invest. I have my Pennsylvania Realtors License. Besides taking some real estate classes, my only experience in the field involves two real-estate internships and some personal tax lien investing background. 

If you were standing in my shoes today, what would you do in this situation? What REI strategy? Or, where would you go from here?

Thank you in advance and I really look forward to hearing everyone's thoughts.

[David Rundle]

Ryan congrats on the education! 

If I were still and college and had $20k and could talk to my old self I would:

#1 - purchase and read/listen to a few books:

• Weekend Millionaire (Mike Summey, Roger Dawson)
• Rich Dad, Poor Dad & Second Chances (Kiyosaki)
• Think & Grow Rich (Napoleon Hill)
• Richest Man in Babylon

#2 - Determine if Real Estate was something I could get passionate about by making a pros/cons list against my other passions.  I'd try to imagine what my life would be like in 10 years if I had rentals and tenants providing cash flow v/s whatever else I was passionate about.

#3 - Tell my old self that setting up streams of income is the best way to generate wealth. Print off the cash flow quadrant and decide what quadrant you want to live in.

#4 - Attend a REIA meeting every month, but don't buy anything. Just network.

#5 - After the pro/con list if Real estate were the best decision for a passion in my life that would generate income streams & assuming I still had $19,950 and no job...  I would market to mobile home owners with yellow letters and find a screaming deal.  Get the deal under contract & buy a Mobile Home for ~$15k and spend ~$3k updating w/ new carpet, paint, roof, locks, etc.  Rent it out and let it cash flow.

#6 - I'd get a job doing whatever I went to college for and get some decent stated income. Save 10% of each paycheck for down payments on real estate.

#7 Go to all your local banks, build a relationship and do what needs done to secure financing.

#8 Find a mentor @ the local REIA or on BP.

#9 Rinse & Repeat. Choose your REI passion. Flip, Buy&Hold, Wholesale.

#10 - Enjoy life with real estate!